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Articles 1591 - 1620 of 2416

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Empowering Married Young Women And Improving Their Sexual And Reproductive Health: Effects Of The First-Time Parents Project, K.G. Santhya, Nicole Haberland, Arup Das, F. Ram, R.K. Sinha, Usha Ram, S.K. Mohanty Jan 2008

Empowering Married Young Women And Improving Their Sexual And Reproductive Health: Effects Of The First-Time Parents Project, K.G. Santhya, Nicole Haberland, Arup Das, F. Ram, R.K. Sinha, Usha Ram, S.K. Mohanty

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The Population Council, in partnership with Child In Need Institute in Kolkata, Deepak Charitable Trust in Vadodara, and International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, initiated the First-time Parents Project in India to develop and test an integrated package of health and social interventions to improve married young women’s reproductive and sexual health knowledge and practices, enhance their ability to act in their own interest, and expand their social support networks. The project was formulated on the hypothesis that the periods immediately following marriage and surrounding the first pregnancy and birth offer a unique and powerful entry point for improving the …


Early Marriage And Sexual And Reproductive Health Risks: Experiences Of Young Women And Men In Andhra Pradesh And Madhya Pradesh, India, K.G. Santhya, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Saswata Ghosh Jan 2008

Early Marriage And Sexual And Reproductive Health Risks: Experiences Of Young Women And Men In Andhra Pradesh And Madhya Pradesh, India, K.G. Santhya, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Saswata Ghosh

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The Population Council undertook a large-scale study of married young women and men in two rural settings in India to assess their situation and vulnerability to HIV and other adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Findings of the study clearly underscore the vulnerability of married youth to STI/HIV as a result of risky sexual experiences before, within, and after marriage. Furthermore, there is a need to sensitize healthcare providers to the special needs and vulnerability of married young people and orient them to the need for developing appropriate strategies to reach diverse groups of young people, including married young women …


Obstetric Fistula: Can Community Midwives Make A Difference? Findings From Four Districts In Kenya, Charlotte E. Warren, Annie Mwangi Jan 2008

Obstetric Fistula: Can Community Midwives Make A Difference? Findings From Four Districts In Kenya, Charlotte E. Warren, Annie Mwangi

Reproductive Health

As part of the UNFPA Global Campaign to End Obstetric Fistula, the Population Council and UNFPA built on Kenya’s Community Midwifery Approach to develop a comprehensive community midwifery intervention strategy that aimed at increasing skilled attendants at birth and prevention of obstetric fistula. This report seeks to understand the experiences of women affected by fistula and whether community midwives can contribute to preventing obstetric fistula in rural settings in Kenya. The key recommendations emerging from this report are to: update health facility midwives in maternal and neonatal health (MNH) skills including prevention, treatment, and care of obstetric fistula; train more …


Patterns Of Migration/Mobility And Hiv Risk Among Female Sex Workers: Tamil Nadu 2007-08, Niranjan Saggurti, Ravi K. Verma, Suvakanta N. Swain, Hanimi Reddy Modugu, Ajay Kumar Singh, Saumya Ramarao, Anrudh K. Jain Jan 2008

Patterns Of Migration/Mobility And Hiv Risk Among Female Sex Workers: Tamil Nadu 2007-08, Niranjan Saggurti, Ravi K. Verma, Suvakanta N. Swain, Hanimi Reddy Modugu, Ajay Kumar Singh, Saumya Ramarao, Anrudh K. Jain

HIV and AIDS

In past years, considerable research has been undertaken on the role of female sex workers (FSWs) in the transmission of HIV infection. FSWs have been seen as a major “source” of infection, and consequently, have been extensively targeted to prevent its spread. There is, however, a gap in our understanding of the dynamics of sex work, sex workers' patterns of mobility, and the relationship of such mobility with risk of HIV infection and gender-based violence. The Population Council collaborated with its local partner, TNS, to carry out a study in Tamil Nadu to examine the patterns of mobility of FSWs …


Introducing Systematic Screening To Reduce Unmet Health Needs: A Manager's Manual, Ricardo Vernon, James R. Foreit, Emma Ottolenghi Jan 2008

Introducing Systematic Screening To Reduce Unmet Health Needs: A Manager's Manual, Ricardo Vernon, James R. Foreit, Emma Ottolenghi

Reproductive Health

This manual is designed to help program decision-makers, managers, supervisors, and providers introduce systematic screening in their health services. Systematic screening can improve women’s health by addressing multiple unmet needs for reproductive and other health services. This manual provides: activities necessary to implement systematic screening; how to select facilities, services to screen for, and who will screen; systematic screening checklist development, adaptation, and pretesting; advice for training screeners/providers and supervisors and an outline of a generic training agenda. The manual’s contents may be adapted to reflect local, national, or programmatic health priorities and resources as well as to promote the …


South Africa: Integrated Approach Improves Quality Of Post-Rape Care, Population Council Jan 2008

South Africa: Integrated Approach Improves Quality Of Post-Rape Care, Population Council

Reproductive Health

In South Africa, an integrated model for post-rape care by nurses in a rural district hospital, which included a designated room for medical management and guidelines for providing reproductive health and HIV services, improved the quality of care provided. However, nurses remained reluctant to collect forensic evidence that could be used for prosecuting perpetrators. South Africa has developed a strong policy framework outlining medical management of rape survivors, which includes provision of HIV testing and post-exposure prophylaxis and emergency contraception, ideally within 72 hours. However, implementation has been hampered by numerous obstacles, both in health care infrastructure and policy, and …


Operations Research For Managers Of Reproductive Health Programs, James R. Foreit, M.E. Khan Jan 2008

Operations Research For Managers Of Reproductive Health Programs, James R. Foreit, M.E. Khan

Reproductive Health

The course presented in this publication defines operations research (OR) as the study of factors under the control of health program managers and other decision-makers. The purpose of OR is to improve programs and provide information for management decision-making. Successful OR is characterized by a close collaboration between program managers and researchers throughout the study. The course focuses on OR as a branch of the behavioral sciences and deals with formative research and field experiments. It concentrates on improving the research knowledge of managers who have had little or no training in research. The focus of this interactive course is …


Assessing Integration Methodology (Aim): A Handbook For Measuring And Assessing The Integration Of Family Planning And Other Reproductive Health Services, M. Estela Rivero-Fuentes, Saumya Ramarao, Ricardo Estrada, Charlotte E. Warren, Saiqa Mullick, Ian Askew, Harriet Birungi, John Townsend, Susana Medina Jan 2008

Assessing Integration Methodology (Aim): A Handbook For Measuring And Assessing The Integration Of Family Planning And Other Reproductive Health Services, M. Estela Rivero-Fuentes, Saumya Ramarao, Ricardo Estrada, Charlotte E. Warren, Saiqa Mullick, Ian Askew, Harriet Birungi, John Townsend, Susana Medina

Reproductive Health

Several international statements over the past two decades have endorsed the integration of family planning (FP) services with other reproductive health (RH) services as a means of expanding availability and access for potential users. Many rationales underlie the move toward integrating FP with other services. First is that it provides benefits to the client and the program. Moreover, there is the expectation that the costs to the health system of configuring two or more services will cost less than providing them independently. However, there is still little empirical evidence available about integration of services. Over time, a number of methodologies …


Study Of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Urban Men In Pakistan: Identifying The Bridging Population, Ali M. Mir, Laura Reichenbach, Abdul Wajid, Mumraiz Khan Jan 2008

Study Of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Urban Men In Pakistan: Identifying The Bridging Population, Ali M. Mir, Laura Reichenbach, Abdul Wajid, Mumraiz Khan

Reproductive Health

Pakistan currently has low levels of HIV infection, however the country is considered at high potential risk for an HIV epidemic. In major cities there are large concentrations of individuals whose behaviors make them extremely vulnerable to the rapid spread of HIV and of classical sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including male and female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug users. HIV can spread to the general population through individuals who have contact with both high-risk groups and the general heterosexual population (the “bridging population”). Identifying the bridging population and bridging behaviors among urban men and …


Training Youth Caregivers To Provide Hiv Education And Support To Orphans And Vulnerable Children In South Africa, Tobey C. Nelson, Eka Esu-Williams, Lungile Mchunu, Pinkie Nyamakazi, S'Fiso Mnguni, Katie D. Schenk, Catherine Searle, Jennifer Redner Jan 2008

Training Youth Caregivers To Provide Hiv Education And Support To Orphans And Vulnerable Children In South Africa, Tobey C. Nelson, Eka Esu-Williams, Lungile Mchunu, Pinkie Nyamakazi, S'Fiso Mnguni, Katie D. Schenk, Catherine Searle, Jennifer Redner

HIV and AIDS

In KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, in Durban’s peri-urban community of Valley of 1000 Hills, Horizons partnered with Valley Trust to implement and evaluate a program to provide education and support to orphans and vulnerable children. The study utilized a pre-post test design to assess the feasibility and impact of building the capacity of youth aged 18–24 years to provide HIV education and support to in-school orphans and vulnerable children in their communities. The Valley Trust Youth Caregiver Program trained older youth to provide HIV education, homework assistance, and psychosocial support to orphans and vulnerable children aged 11–15 years. The program …


Terms Of Marriage And Time-Use Patterns Of Young Wives: Evidence From Rural Bangladesh, Sajeda Amin, Luciana Suran Jan 2008

Terms Of Marriage And Time-Use Patterns Of Young Wives: Evidence From Rural Bangladesh, Sajeda Amin, Luciana Suran

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This working paper explores the relationship between marriage arrangements and daily activities of young married women, using detailed time-use data from an adolescent study in rural Bangladesh. Measures of marriage arrangement are payment of dowry and the relative wealth status of natal and marital families. Using multivariate regression analysis, the results show that women’s time spent in domestic work, socializing, and self-care is significantly associated with marriage arrangement variables. Those who paid dowry spent more time in domestic work and less time in self-care and socializing relative to those who did not pay dowry. These patterns of association are similar …


Assessment Of Risk Factors For Hiv Infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In The Metropolitan Area Of Campinas City, Brazil, Using Respondent-Driven Sampling, Maeve De Mello, Adriana De Araujo Pinho, Magda Chinaglia, Waimar Tun, Aristides Barbosa Junior, Maria Cristina, F.J. Ilario, Paulo Reis, Regina C.S. Salles, Suzanne Westman, Juan Diaz Jan 2008

Assessment Of Risk Factors For Hiv Infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men In The Metropolitan Area Of Campinas City, Brazil, Using Respondent-Driven Sampling, Maeve De Mello, Adriana De Araujo Pinho, Magda Chinaglia, Waimar Tun, Aristides Barbosa Junior, Maria Cristina, F.J. Ilario, Paulo Reis, Regina C.S. Salles, Suzanne Westman, Juan Diaz

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council, in collaboration with the Brazil Ministry of Health, the Municipal Program of STD/AIDS of Campinas, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Global AIDS Program/Brazil, conducted a study to characterize the sociodemographic, behavioral, and environmental factors associated with subgroups of MSM who are most at risk for HIV infection. This research is the first Brazilian study to provide population-based estimates for HIV, syphilis, and HIV-related risk behaviors using an innovative sampling technique to reach members of the target population. Our data suggest the importance for HIV prevention programs to address not only sexual risk reduction, but …


If You Build It, Will They Come? Kenya Healthy Start Pediatric Hiv Study: A Diagnostic Study Investigating Barriers To Hiv Treatment And Care Among Children, Karusa Kiragu, Katie D. Schenk, Julie Murugi, Avina Sarna Jan 2008

If You Build It, Will They Come? Kenya Healthy Start Pediatric Hiv Study: A Diagnostic Study Investigating Barriers To Hiv Treatment And Care Among Children, Karusa Kiragu, Katie D. Schenk, Julie Murugi, Avina Sarna

HIV and AIDS

In Kenya the proportion of eligible HIV-positive children receiving ART treatment is only 11 percent. This study explored and documented possible barriers in the community to accessing pediatric HIV testing and treatment, to guide the development of new interventions to encourage uptake. The study identified barriers such as cost, use of traditional healers, low knowledge of treatment options, attitudinal barriers, stigma, unique treatment issues, and dissatisfaction with available services. Additionally, healthcare workers missed opportunities to provide services and cited numerous service-side challenges. The study recommends prioritizing community awareness, mobile clinics, strengthening capacity of healthcare workers, supporting family-based HIV testing, and …


Catalyzing Personal And Social Change Around Gender, Sexuality, And Hiv: Impact Evaluation Of Puntos De Encuentro´S Communication Strategy In Nicaragua, Irela Solorzano, Amy Bank, Rodolfo Pena, Henry Espinoza, Mary Ellsberg, Julie Pulerwitz Jan 2008

Catalyzing Personal And Social Change Around Gender, Sexuality, And Hiv: Impact Evaluation Of Puntos De Encuentro´S Communication Strategy In Nicaragua, Irela Solorzano, Amy Bank, Rodolfo Pena, Henry Espinoza, Mary Ellsberg, Julie Pulerwitz

HIV and AIDS

Somos Diferentes, Somos Iguales (SDSI) is a communication for social change strategy whose objective is to prevent future HIV infections in Nicaragua, through mass communication actions that include educational entertainment programs, strengthening of local capacity, and the development of alliances within the communities. This report presents the results of an interinstitutional evaluation to explore the impact of SDSI on gender equity, stigma reduction, personalization of risk perception, knowledge and use of services, interpersonal communication, HIV prevention practices, and individual and collective effectiveness for HIV prevention. The impact evaluation showed that the SDSI strategy made a great contribution in key aspects …


Caring For Caregivers: An Hiv/Aids Workplace Intervention For Hospital Staff In Zambia—Evaluation Results, Karusa Kiragu, Mutinta Nyumbu, Thabale J. Ngulube, Panganani Njobvu, Chilufya Mwaba, Arthur Kalimbwe, Spike Bradford Jan 2008

Caring For Caregivers: An Hiv/Aids Workplace Intervention For Hospital Staff In Zambia—Evaluation Results, Karusa Kiragu, Mutinta Nyumbu, Thabale J. Ngulube, Panganani Njobvu, Chilufya Mwaba, Arthur Kalimbwe, Spike Bradford

HIV and AIDS

The Horizons Program collaborated on a Caring for Caregivers initiative in Zambia whose objective was to develop and test a risk-reduction workplace program for hospital staff. This was motivated by the recognition that hospital workers are often overlooked in HIV programming, and yet many are infected or affected by HIV. It was also motivated by the fact that hospital staff are heterogeneous, with both clinical and non-clinical staff having varying levels of understanding regarding HIV transmission. Caring for Caregivers was a peer education program targeted at hospital staff and implemented in two hospitals in Zambia, with a combined staff of …


Moving Forward: Tackling Stigma In A Tanzanian Community, Laura Nyblade, Kerry Macquarrie, Gideon Kwesigabo, Aparna Jain, Lusajo Kajula, Fausta Philip, William Henerico Tibesigwa, Jessie K. Mbwambo Jan 2008

Moving Forward: Tackling Stigma In A Tanzanian Community, Laura Nyblade, Kerry Macquarrie, Gideon Kwesigabo, Aparna Jain, Lusajo Kajula, Fausta Philip, William Henerico Tibesigwa, Jessie K. Mbwambo

HIV and AIDS

The International Center for Research on Women, the Muhimbili University College of the Health Sciences, the Population Council, and Family Health International conducted an evaluation of a community-based effort to reduce stigma surrounding HIV infections in a peri-urban community in Tanzania. Results presented a mixed, but hopeful, picture for a way forward in tackling stigma at the community level. Tackling stigma requires that the individuals tasked with doing this undergo personal change. Programs can start by focusing stigma-reduction efforts on a smaller, more manageable geographical area and adding specific anti-stigma components to their portfolio of activities. Engaging community opinion leaders …


Assessment Of Risk Factors For Hiv Infection In Female Sex Workers And Men Who Have Sex With Men In Ciudad Del Este, Paraguay, Magda Chinaglia, Waimar Tun, Maeve Mello, Magdalena Insfran, Juan Diaz Jan 2008

Assessment Of Risk Factors For Hiv Infection In Female Sex Workers And Men Who Have Sex With Men In Ciudad Del Este, Paraguay, Magda Chinaglia, Waimar Tun, Maeve Mello, Magdalena Insfran, Juan Diaz

HIV and AIDS

Research conducted by the Population Council/Brazil, supported by the USAID-funded Horizons Project, documents findings from a study in Paraguay among men who have sex with men and female sex workers to estimate HIV and syphilis prevalence; examine knowledge, attitudes, and risk behaviors related to HIV and STIs; and describe the contextual and behavioral factors influencing HIV and STI transmission. Findings provide guidance to the development of HIV and STI prevention and care interventions and further operations research to test strategies and interventions to reduce the spread of HIV and STIs in these groups.


Migration/Mobility And Vulnerability To Hiv Among Male Migrant Workers: Andhra Pradesh 2007-08, Niranjan Saggurti, Anrudh K. Jain, Saumya Ramarao, Hanimi Reddy Modugu, Ajay Kumar Singh, Suvakanta N. Swain, Ravi K. Verma Jan 2008

Migration/Mobility And Vulnerability To Hiv Among Male Migrant Workers: Andhra Pradesh 2007-08, Niranjan Saggurti, Anrudh K. Jain, Saumya Ramarao, Hanimi Reddy Modugu, Ajay Kumar Singh, Suvakanta N. Swain, Ravi K. Verma

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council, in collaboration with TNS India Pvt. Ltd., undertook a study in Andhra Pradesh, India, to examine the patterns of male migration and its links with HIV risk. The goal was to provide evidence to inform the design and implementation of HIV interventions for male migrant workers. The study documented the volume and patterns of mobility, including the social dynamics within the contract system that employs these men as laborers, and the sexual risk behaviors and addictive behaviors of male migrants. The results suggest a predominance of interdistrict movements of men within Andhra Pradesh with a strong positive …


Patterns Of Migration/Mobility And Hiv Risk Among Female Sex Workers: Maharashtra 2007-08, Niranjan Saggurti, Vaishali Sharma Mahendra, Rajendra Singh, Saumya Ramarao, Suvakanta N. Swain, Ajay Kumar Singh, Anrudh K. Jain, Ravi K. Verma Jan 2008

Patterns Of Migration/Mobility And Hiv Risk Among Female Sex Workers: Maharashtra 2007-08, Niranjan Saggurti, Vaishali Sharma Mahendra, Rajendra Singh, Saumya Ramarao, Suvakanta N. Swain, Ajay Kumar Singh, Anrudh K. Jain, Ravi K. Verma

HIV and AIDS

According to recent estimates, Maharashtra, India recorded high HIV prevalence among female sex workers, however there is a dearth of research documenting the migration patterns of sex workers and the linkages between their mobility and vulnerability to HIV. This Population Council study attempts to answer some of the questions on mobility and migration of female sex workers in Maharashtra as they relate to the HIV epidemic. Findings show an association between degree of mobility and the indicators of HIV risk such as consistent condom use with different types of partners, STI symptoms reported, sexual violence, and self-perception of risk for …


Improving Reproductive Health And Hiv Prevention Among Married Adolescents In Amhara, Ethiopia, Annabel Erulkar, Tekle-Ab Mekbib Jan 2008

Improving Reproductive Health And Hiv Prevention Among Married Adolescents In Amhara, Ethiopia, Annabel Erulkar, Tekle-Ab Mekbib

Reproductive Health

The objective of this project is to improve reproductive health (RH), prevent new HIV infections, and promote mutual faithfulness through addressing the HIV and reproductive risk among married adolescents, who are a large, vulnerable, and neglected category of Ethiopian youth. The Population Council partnered with Ethiopia Ministry of Education, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and the Ethiopian Muslim Development Agency to implement the project in Amhara region. The program used religious structures to spread messages about early marriage, HIV, and reproductive health. Local women leaders were trained as mentors of married adolescent girls, convening clubs through which HIV/RH information was conveyed, …


The Potential For Sustainability Of Malaria In Pregnancy Initiatives In East And Southern Africa: Kenya And Malawi, Washington Onyango-Ouma, Sam Agatre Okuonzi, Doreen Ali, Harriet Birungi, Annie Mwangi Jan 2008

The Potential For Sustainability Of Malaria In Pregnancy Initiatives In East And Southern Africa: Kenya And Malawi, Washington Onyango-Ouma, Sam Agatre Okuonzi, Doreen Ali, Harriet Birungi, Annie Mwangi

Reproductive Health

This study assesses the sustainability of initiatives to improve maternal and child health survival by preventing and treating illness from malaria, and documents best practices for promoting sustainability and lessons for replication in countries where malaria is endemic. The study applied the Child Survival Sustainability Assessment framework to initiatives in Kenya and Malawi to analyze progress toward sustainability, including not only a biomedical perspective but also the human, social, and organizational processes that influence sustainability of health projects. The report concludes that Malaria in Pregnancy (MIP) interventions were sustained within and beyond the project districts in both countries. Furthermore, both …


Strengthening The Financial Sustainability Of Two Population Services And Training Center (Pstc) Clinics (Bangladesh), Population Services And Training Center (Pstc), Frontiers In Reproductive Health Jan 2008

Strengthening The Financial Sustainability Of Two Population Services And Training Center (Pstc) Clinics (Bangladesh), Population Services And Training Center (Pstc), Frontiers In Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health

The Population Services and Training Center of Bangladesh (PSTC) operates 15 clinics and 150 satellite posts that provide an Essential Services Package (ESP) to the poor, consisting of child health, family planning, maternal health, communicable disease treatment, and limited curative care. The objective of this study was to conduct an operations research study to determine the feasibility of improving cost recovery in two clinics by raising prices. It appears that the study design was too ambitious for PSTC, a service delivery organization with no prior research experience. Lack of experience was compounded by the resignation of all three PSTC research …


Helping Egyptian Women Achieve Optimal Birth Spacing Intervals Through Fostering Linkages Between Family Planning And Maternal/Child Health Services, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Sarah Loza, Amal Zaki Jan 2008

Helping Egyptian Women Achieve Optimal Birth Spacing Intervals Through Fostering Linkages Between Family Planning And Maternal/Child Health Services, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Sarah Loza, Amal Zaki

Reproductive Health

The Population Council’s USAID-funded Frontiers in Reproductive Health (FRONTIERS) program, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population and the NGO Social Planning, Analysis and Administration Consultants, conducted an operations research study to measure the acceptability and effectiveness of two birth spacing message models in Upper Egypt. Overall, the study found that providing birth spacing messages to low-parity women during antenatal and postpartum care and also to husbands through community awareness activities was feasible and acceptable. As a result, birth spacing messages have been integrated into service delivery guidelines for antenatal and postpartum care, and IEC materials on …


Comparing The Effectiveness And Costs Of Alternative Strategies For Improving Access To Information And Services For The Iud In Ghana, Ivy Osei, Gertrude Voetagbe, Moses Aikins, John Gyapong, Philomena Nyarko, Harriet Birungi, Gloria Quansah Asare, Henrietta Odoi-Agyarko, Olivia Aglah Jan 2008

Comparing The Effectiveness And Costs Of Alternative Strategies For Improving Access To Information And Services For The Iud In Ghana, Ivy Osei, Gertrude Voetagbe, Moses Aikins, John Gyapong, Philomena Nyarko, Harriet Birungi, Gloria Quansah Asare, Henrietta Odoi-Agyarko, Olivia Aglah

Reproductive Health

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) was prompted to explore ways of increasing interest in the IUD through increasing awareness of this and other long-acting and permanent methods via interpersonal channels and by intensifying campaigns to dispel rumors about the method. The Health Research Unit of the GHS, EngenderHealth’s Quality Health Partners project, and the Population Council’s Frontiers in Reproductive Health (FRONTIERS) project collaborated with the GHS to test innovative approaches to increase awareness of the IUD and to improve access to the method. The study examined the general and method-specific knowledge of long-acting family planning methods among clients and providers, …


Development Of A Quality Assurance Procedure For Reproductive Health Services For District Public Health Systems: Implementation And Scale-Up In The State Of Gujarat, M.E. Khan, Anurag Mishra, Vivek Sharma, Leila Caleb-Varkey Jan 2008

Development Of A Quality Assurance Procedure For Reproductive Health Services For District Public Health Systems: Implementation And Scale-Up In The State Of Gujarat, M.E. Khan, Anurag Mishra, Vivek Sharma, Leila Caleb-Varkey

Reproductive Health

This project was carried out in India, in two districts each in Gujarat and Maharashtra states. It confirmed that quality assurance (QA) checklists and an implementation manual, developed by the USAID-funded Frontiers in Reproductive Health (FRONTIERS) Program of the Population Council in collaboration with UNFPA/India, are useful and effective tools that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHFW) can use to monitor the quality of services provided by health facilities. It also demonstrated that this QA mechanism can be easily institutionalized at the district level management. One key lesson has been the critical role that the commitment of state …


Strengthening Postnatal Care Services Including Postpartum Family Planning In Kenya, Annie Mwangi, Charlotte E. Warren, Nancy Koskei, Holly Blanchard Jan 2008

Strengthening Postnatal Care Services Including Postpartum Family Planning In Kenya, Annie Mwangi, Charlotte E. Warren, Nancy Koskei, Holly Blanchard

Reproductive Health

The objectives of this study were to develop and introduce a strengthened postnatal care package into one hospital and four health centers in one district in Kenya, to document the feasibility, acceptability, and quality of care of the strengthened postnatal care, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the postnatal package on women’s reproductive health behaviors. The study was implemented jointly by the Population Council’s Frontiers in Reproductive Health (FRONTIERS) project and by Jhpiego’s ACCESS-FP project, both funded by USAID. A postnatal care–family planning orientation package for providers was developed that incorporated relevant maternal and newborn healthcare services in the postnatal …


Extending Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission Through Postpartum Family Planning In Lesotho, Charlotte E. Warren, Semakaleng Phafoli, Bosielo Majara, Thato Tsukuluet Jan 2008

Extending Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission Through Postpartum Family Planning In Lesotho, Charlotte E. Warren, Semakaleng Phafoli, Bosielo Majara, Thato Tsukuluet

Reproductive Health

Recognizing the need to improve the care and follow up of mothers and infants in the postpartum period, the Lesotho Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), with technical support from the Frontiers in Reproductive Health (FRONTIERS) of Population Council and funding from PEPFAR/RHAP/USAID, carried out an operations research project to strengthen the existing postpartum care services. This study had a specific focus on strengthening linkages with existing PMTCT follow-up and family planning services during the postpartum period by changing the number, timing, and content of postpartum consultations that a woman and her newborn should receive. The key findings indicated …


Developing Comprehensive And Evidence-Based Policy And Guidelines For Antenatal And Postnatal Care In Kwazulu-Natal, Prudence Ditlopo, Mantshi Menziwa, Saiqa Mullick, Saumya Ramarao, Janet Dalton, Dolly Nyasulu, Mags Beksinska, Busi Kunene Jan 2008

Developing Comprehensive And Evidence-Based Policy And Guidelines For Antenatal And Postnatal Care In Kwazulu-Natal, Prudence Ditlopo, Mantshi Menziwa, Saiqa Mullick, Saumya Ramarao, Janet Dalton, Dolly Nyasulu, Mags Beksinska, Busi Kunene

Reproductive Health

In May 2004, the Maternal Child and Women’s Health department of Kwazulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa requested technical assistance from the Population Council’s USAID-funded FRONTIERS project for developing standardized and comprehensive antenatal and postnatal (ANC/PNC) care policies and guidelines and supportive training and educational materials. The aims and objectives of this project were to: support the development of a comprehensive evidence-based antenatal and postnatal care program in KZN; consolidate lessons learned and evidence around delivery of comprehensive ANC and PNC; revise provincial guidelines to enable comprehensive ANC and PNC services that address PMTCT, partner involvement, syphilis screening, focused visits, and antiretrovirals; …


Sexual And Gender Based Violence In Africa: Key Issues For Programming, Population Council Jan 2008

Sexual And Gender Based Violence In Africa: Key Issues For Programming, Population Council

Reproductive Health

The Population Council is supporting a multisectoral and multicountry network of partners dedicated to strengthening sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) services. Initiated in 2006, the network aims to promote a comprehensive approach to preventing and managing SGBV throughout the region. The implementing partners aim to develop feasible, effective, and efficient models for a comprehensive response to the needs of SGBV survivors; strengthen services that address the health, psychological, and criminal justice consequences of violence; and reduce the determinants of violent behavior within communities. This brochure summarizes the key points of a literature review by the Population Council on SGBV designed …


Exploring The Links Between Drug Use And Sexual Vulnerability Among Young Female Injecting Drug Users In Manipur, Archana Oinam Jan 2008

Exploring The Links Between Drug Use And Sexual Vulnerability Among Young Female Injecting Drug Users In Manipur, Archana Oinam

Reproductive Health

Given the high prevalence of HIV in Manipur, India and the critical role that female injecting drug users play in the transmission of HIV infection, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the sexual behaviors and drug use experiences of this group. This report describes the health status and patterns of treatment-seeking of female injecting drug users aged 15–34 in Manipur, and explores the factors underlying their vulnerability to HIV, including limited in-depth awareness of safe sexual behaviors and drug use practices, and limited self-perception of HIV risk. The report recommends development of IEC materials that address these information gaps …